Transporting groceries etc without a bike

[BIG-E]

Hi Folks

My GF and I are moving into town, about 2 blocks from a supermarket and the local coop. I'm looking for a way to transport groceries and other stuff without using a bike. Sometimes I just like to walk instead of ride. I was thinking that perhaps a classic red wagon with extended height sides might do the trick, although it would be nice to have something just a little bit bigger. I'm also wondering if some bike trailers convert into carts? However, I don't want to look like I'm pushing a stroller :eek:

I know it's kind of funny asking this question on a bike board, but this is the car-free section :p

I'm really looking forward to the move, as it's not only going to be eaiser to go shopping, but easier to visit friends, and a LOT easier to go ride some trails on my mountain bike! We'll have some decent trails within a few blocks.

[jcwitte]

Many grocery stores in urban areas sell folding shopping carts that are meant for just that. Here is a link to what I am talking about although I'm sure you could get one where you are locally.....
http://premiercarts.com/folding_shopping_carts.htm

http://premiercarts.com/images/New/NTC_003.JPG

[Torrilin]

I just use a backpack.

[craptastico]

Many grocery stores in urban areas sell folding shopping carts that are meant for just that. Here is a link to what I am talking about although I'm sure you could get one where you are locally.....
http://premiercarts.com/folding_shopping_carts.htm

http://premiercarts.com/images/New/NTC_003.JPG

+10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 These carts are great. They fold up and fit almost anywhere and if you can't fit a week's worth of groceries in them you either eat too much or need to hone your spatial dimension skills. The plusses for you are it doesn't look like a stroller, it's compact and you can probably get it at the grocery store or the co-op (as said above).

[BIG-E]

We had one of those when I was a kid. The wheels are too small, they don't hold enough stuff, and they look like something an old lady would use.

[gwd]

I carry things in a messenger bag, but the little red wagon works well too. What is good about the Radio Flyer is that the wheels are big and it is stable. You know, the factory just shut a few years ago and they're now made in China. Kids still love them. I asked my grown daughter if she wanted to get rid of hers since it is just taking up space at her place and she said "No dad, its too cool, I had too much fun with it growing up."

[wahoonc]

We had one of those when I was a kid. The wheels are too small, they don't hold enough stuff, and they look like something an old lady would use.

:roflmao:

Try these (http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2252&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=wagon) on for size, and they are made in the USA.

We have one of the big 4 wheel steering wagons and it gets used behind the small tractor.

Aaron:)

http://www.lehmans.com/images/us/alcatraz/4WSWA.f.jpg

[Domromer]

How much groceries do you need? It sounds like you live close to the store. A decent size backpack should do the job nicely. I wouldn't want to be lugging around a wagon, then finding a place to lock it. Those wheeled cart things are cool. You can brig it into the store and use it to hold your groceries while you shop. I don't think you would do the same with the little red wagon.

[Roody]

Just bring it home in the store's shopping cart, than push the cart in the river when you're done with it. That's what they do around here.

;)

[(BB)]

We live 2 blocks south of the local organic grocery and 2 blocks north of the regular grocery. For us it changed how we shop, if you need some bread and eggs you go get bread and eggs, most of the time I don't even get a bag. My wife has a re-usable canvas sack for regular trips and a larger beach style basket for the larger loads. That said we have neighbors that drive 5miles+ to costco and load up the mini-van.

[Lamplight]

You could just use a backback or handbasket and just go to the store more often, getting smaller loads. I do that on my bike when I'm not in the mood to ride with a huge front basket.

[Roody]

Back before I rode a bike I tried a couple other options. Sometimes I walked to the store and took a taxicab home. I also went with a neighbor in her car sometimes. She wouldn't accept payment for the ride, so I bought a treat at the store for her or her kids. Other people would prefer a couple dollars for gas. (Some would probably like the treat and the cash! ;))

Not exactly carfree ideas, but they got the job done. :)

Mind if I ask why you don't want to use your bike for shopping?

[noisebeam]

Just bring it home in the store's shopping cart, than push the cart in the river when you're done with it. That's what they do around here.

Here we use canals for that purpose:
http://optionnz.com/users/afs/17310Canal.jpg
http://optionnz.com/users/afs/17313Cart.jpg

Taken on a bike ride thru Mesa in Nov. 2003.

Al

[JunkyardWarrior]

find an old shopping cart and customize it into an off road shopping cart with wheels like the wagon

just dont roll thru any dog business

[BIG-E]

Mind if I ask why you don't want to use your bike for shopping?

Sometimes I just like to walk. Don't have to deal with idiot drivers as much.

I'm also planning on getting a cruiser. And a Surly Big Dummy when they're available!

[jcwitte]

We had one of those when I was a kid. The wheels are too small, they don't hold enough stuff, and they look like something an old lady would use.

However, I don't want to look like I'm pushing a stroller

You shouldn't worry about your image so much when you go to get groceries. People are not going to look at you and say, "Ha, look at the idiot with the grandma cart" or "That guy is bringing groceries home in what appears to be a stroller! Oh my gosh, what a dork!"

It's two blocks. No one is going to notice what you are bringing your groceries home in. A bicycle trailer would work just fine (even the ones that look like strollers) and so would a "grandma cart", unless you are also a sumo wrestler, then you might need two grandma carts.

I live about two blocks from the grocery store as well. I just use a backpack. If I need to get alot of stuff, I'll bring a canvas bag along too.

[rockmom]

My husband's dignity has held up just fine using a cart. Those carts also come in a variety of sizes so some can hold a fair amount of food/beer.

[BIG-E]

You shouldn't worry about your image so much when you go to get groceries. People are not going to look at you and say, "Ha, look at the idiot with the grandma cart" or "That guy is bringing groceries home in what appears to be a stroller! Oh my gosh, what a dork!"

It's two blocks. No one is going to notice what you are bringing your groceries home in. A bicycle trailer would work just fine (even the ones that look like strollers) and so would a "grandma cart", unless you are also a sumo wrestler, then you might need two grandma carts.


It's a fairly small community, and I've lived and worked here for over 20 years. Lots of people know me. I don't want them thinking I'm "down and out". Same reason I dress nice, cut my hair, etc. And if I come up with something cool, perhaps someone else will say "Gee, what a great way to save gas, I should try that" instead of "Gee, look at that loser, guess he can't afford a car, whose grandma did he mug for that cart?"

[Roody]

It's a fairly small community, and I've lived and worked here for over 20 years. Lots of people know me. I don't want them thinking I'm "down and out". Same reason I dress nice, cut my hair, etc. And if I come up with something cool, perhaps someone else will say "Gee, what a great way to save gas, I should try that" instead of "Gee, look at that loser, guess he can't afford a car, whose grandma did he mug for that cart?"

Well, you could always hire a limo. Stretch Hummer maybe?

:D

[jcwitte]

It's a fairly small community, and I've lived and worked here for over 20 years. Lots of people know me. I don't want them thinking I'm "down and out". Same reason I dress nice, cut my hair, etc. And if I come up with something cool, perhaps someone else will say "Gee, what a great way to save gas, I should try that" instead of "Gee, look at that loser, guess he can't afford a car, whose grandma did he mug for that cart?"

So the only reason you dress nice and cut your hair is because you don't want people thinking you are down and out? hah, just kidding.

Actually I use to live in a smaller community and I do know what you are saying. The trick is to just not care that much. The fact of the matter is, in smaller communities, if you don't have a car, then people are going to think that you are down and out. However, if you aren't down and out, then who cares what people think. Unless you are running for office, then it doesn't matter what Joe-Schmoe thinks as you wheel, lug, push, or pull your groceries home.

Maybe what you could do is get the "grandma cart", take it and get it gold-plated, get some big fat wheels with the rims that spin by themselves, have some hydraulics installed, and then hang some fuzzy dice from the handle.

Or better yet, do something like this.....

http://www.worth1000.com/emailthis.asp?entry=140990

[Boudicca]

There's always something like this:

http://www.proaktivo.de/products_id/406.html

[gerv]

Many grocery stores in urban areas sell folding shopping carts that are meant for just that. Here is a link to what I am talking about although I'm sure you could get one where you are locally.....
http://premiercarts.com/folding_shopping_carts.htm

http://premiercarts.com/images/New/NTC_003.JPG
My wife uses one of these when vacationing in Canada in the summers. She travels about 1/4 mile to the grocery store and finds the cart very convenient.

I've noticed thought that the wheels are kind of slight, so I wonder how long it will last?

[Domromer]

I've got the same one my mom used when I was a kid. It's 22 years old and still works great. She used to use it a couple times a week. The wheels are fine. I still use it for the grocery store, and to haul all my crap when I go after dungeness crabs.

[Newspaperguy]

For two people living two blocks from the grocery store, the simplest solution is to just carry home the groceries in the store bags, a messenger bag or a backpack. When you need to buy items like an eight-kilogram bag of rice, a 10-kilogram bag of flour, a 10-kilogram bag of sugar or other bullky and heavy products, make a special trip for that. You'll probably find you'll make a lot of small trips to the grocery store if it's just two blocks away, so you won't need a wagon, cart or other contraption.

[Domromer]

It's a fairly small community, and I've lived and worked here for over 20 years. Lots of people know me. I don't want them thinking I'm "down and out". Same reason I dress nice, cut my hair, etc. And if I come up with something cool, perhaps someone else will say "Gee, what a great way to save gas, I should try that" instead of "Gee, look at that loser, guess he can't afford a car, whose grandma did he mug for that cart?"

Maybe you should just get a car, you wouldn't want to worry the neighbors.

[Roody]

Do you have kids? The crumbsnatchers should start earning their keep. When I was a kid I had to walk 2 blocks to the supermarket almost every day to get my mom's beer and cigarettes.

Just kidding! I got food, anything we had run out of like bread, milk, etc. It taught me to be responsible for money and how to pick out the right articles. I just carried the stuff home in paper bags, since plastic hadn't been invented yet.

[wahoonc]

Maybe you should just get a car, you wouldn't want to worry the neighbors.

S***w the neighbors...let'em get their own wagon:p;) I could care less what people think about me and my transportation choices. If they have a problem with my walking or cycling I have a problem with their driving.;)

Aaron:)

[Newspaperguy]

It's a fairly small community, and I've lived and worked here for over 20 years. Lots of people know me. I don't want them thinking I'm "down and out". Same reason I dress nice, cut my hair, etc. And if I come up with something cool, perhaps someone else will say "Gee, what a great way to save gas, I should try that" instead of "Gee, look at that loser, guess he can't afford a car, whose grandma did he mug for that cart?"

I'm also in a small town where I've lived and worked for quite a number of years. But I've found most people don't judge me on the way I look or how I get around. Sure, they talk about me, but I've never felt ostracized because of my lifestyle choices. If anything, people will ask me how I manage to get around without a car, why I like to bike or whether I get cold in winter when we can go for weeks on end without warming up to the freezing point. I enjoy those questions.

From my experience in small communities — and I've lived in a number of them — you'll often but not always receive the treatment you show. If you accept the town and the people, they'll accept you. If you show respect, you'll be treated with respect. If your attitude comes off as harsh and judgemental, you can expect to be judged harshly by others.

So to answer the question you've raised, nobody will care how you haul your groceries, unless you make it a big issue.

[MyBikeGotStolen]

Just wear a suit and tie while pushing the cart!! :eek: I know what you mean about a small town. I am about to move back to the small town I was born and raisen in. Not sure how they are going to take the new found bike transportation hobby I picked up!

I think you can get pretty heavy duty air tires from Harbor Freight Tools for like $10 a pair and built you own cart like the one Aaron showed for a fraction of the price.

[Sianelle]

There's always something like this:

http://www.proaktivo.de/products_id/406.html

I've got something similar to that only it folds up into a neat flat parcel. Very useful it is too :)

[Platy]

I don't want to look like I'm pushing a stroller :eek:

Attach a pennant for your favorite sports team. Or paint it John Deere green. Presto change-o, now it's a man cart.

[gerv]

I'm also in a small town where I've lived and worked for quite a number of years. But I've found most people don't judge me on the way I look or how I get around. Sure, they talk about me, but I've never felt ostracized because of my lifestyle choices. If anything, people will ask me how I manage to get around without a car, why I like to bike or whether I get cold in winter when we can go for weeks on end without warming up to the freezing point. I enjoy those questions.

I wonder if this is a Canadian thing, or a West coast Canadian thing. I've noticed that Canadians are a little more accepting of non-standard lifestyles. I think they see your lifestyle as your business, even if they don't entirely approve of it. This is probably true in some parts of the US, but... unfortunately... there are many here who might see your lifestyle choice as an affront to their lifestyle. I'm not sure why.

[Roody]

Well, the OP lives in Vermont. People there are certainly tolerant of eccentricities. I doubt if they'd think twice about a neighbor pulling either a wagon or a grocery cart. It seems strange that a grown-up can't figure out how to carry a few groceries for a couple blocks, so he asks people for advice and then turns down every idea they give him. Put 'em in a trash can and roll them home with your nose. I'm all out of other ideas.

[KnhoJ]

We live about 1/4 mile from the store. My strategy is to shop with a shopping basket rather than a cart. That way I can't possibly pick up more than I can carry. Then I carry it home with my own two arms. It takes a little getting used to at first. Now we treat the store as our pantry, and let them deal with spoilage and overstocking so we don't have to. We're at the store two or three times a week, but it's too close to be any inconvenience.

[BIG-E]

I'm thinking that a wagon that can fit 6 bags of groceries is about what I'm looking for. The ones linked above look pretty cool.

I know what people mean about making lots of smaller trips. When I was single and lived a block from the store I often shopped for one meal at a time. But my GF and I tend to make big grocery trips once a week now, even though we go right past several stores every day. I'm also doing some canning and buy stuff in bulk.

I think the image thing got blown out of proportion. I'm a cyclist, I often look a little odd because it's functional. But I ain't dragging a stupid granny cart! Besides, I have a backpack that has about the same capacity. A wagon would allow me more capacity and not require stacking things.

[Artkansas]

It's a fairly small community, and I've lived and worked here for over 20 years. Lots of people know me. I don't want them thinking I'm "down and out". Same reason I dress nice, cut my hair, etc. And if I come up with something cool, perhaps someone else will say "Gee, what a great way to save gas, I should try that" instead of "Gee, look at that loser, guess he can't afford a car, whose grandma did he mug for that cart?"

Well, you might try this. Guys will just think you are going for more beer.

http://media.rei.com/media/w/1323767.jpg

Or you might try a Palm Springs shopping cart. At least that's what they used to call them in Palm Springs. They are only driven to the market and back. You can pick up a used one pretty cheaply. Less than a new Kia. And no one will think you are a loser.

http://www.rrab.com/rolls/sciii-21.jpg

[jcwitte]

I think the image thing got blown out of proportion.

I agree. Sorry about that. You know what would really be neat is if you could find an antique radio flyer wagon on craigslist or something like that.

[BIG-E]

You know what would really be neat is if you could find an antique radio flyer wagon on craigslist or something like that.

I gotta go dig around at my Dad's to see if mine is still there. Maybe chop and stretch it a bit to get more capacity. And some better tires so I could use it for trail-maintenance. :D

[MyBikeGotStolen]

How bout one of these :D

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/dhampton82/collr.jpg

[GrantParkerB]

I am lovin that scooter cooler, we have a winner! :)

[enzed]

Here's an idea.
http://www.mysmarttrolley.com.au/

Happy riding

[badmother]

Hello. Look on the internet for the "city biketrailer", my friend bought one. 12" wheels, can be handcart, trailer for bikes with wheels from 16" to 28" wheels.

[Sparky005s]

Yep. Scooter Cooler for President! That is one neat gadget. I had a cart that I used to haul around my kids that also worked as a grocery cart. Worked great and no one ever gave me any hassle. If your gear is in good condition, no one will care. If you are pushing a Supermarket grocery cart down the street, dressed like a flood victim, people may have suspicions of your ability to make ends meet.

[walmart]

Tonight i went out to do my first serious trip to the grocery store. I still haven't replaced the bike that was stolen 2 weeks ago and have been buying a single bag of groceries everyday and eating out.

Interesting, carrying a shopping bag.

You can hook the loop with your fingers, or you can stick your hand into the loop like a bracelet and let the weight pull on your wrist (no carpel tunnel danger here as the wrist is not lifting anything, the wrist is limp, the shoulder is bearing the weight).

But I don't like using my arms at all so I carried some string with me to the store and on the way back the bag hung on this twine like a messenger bag from my shoulder while my hands were holding sheet music.

Based on that success I thought I'd do the same for 6 bags of groceries with a bungee cord instead of the twine. I looped the bungee cord through all the handles and then engaged the end hooks to form a circle. Then I stuck my head into the circle and hiked it all up like a messenger bag. The bungee cord held up fine and the bags hung just above my knees.

The difficulty came when I started to walk. The bungee cord made the bags jump up and down with every step and the sharp corners of the soymilk cartons kept jabbing into my leg. I walked uncomfortably like this for a block. When I couldn't stand it anymore I stopped, grabbed the bungee cord with one hand and slung it over my shoulder. I didn't care what happened next. When I resumed walking I was pleased to find that now that the bags were against my back and chest they did not sway or bounce or nag me in any way (other than being heavy, but it's not so bad if you use your biomechanics properly). This worked so well that I pulled out my sheet music and didn't even notice the bags except how they made me move sluggishly when I had to suddenly change my direction for a parking meter or oncoming pedestrian.

This trip to the store is roughly 2 miles and my shoulder was only a little achey when I got home.

Maybe a bungee cord in your pocket is all you need to take to the store?

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Tonight i went out to do my first serious trip to the grocery store. I still haven't replaced the bike that was stolen 2 weeks ago and have been buying a single bag of groceries everyday and eating out.

Interesting, carrying a shopping bag.

...

Based on that success I thought I'd do the same for 6 bags of groceries with a bungee cord instead of the twine. I looped the bungee cord through all the handles and then engaged the end hooks to form a circle. Then I stuck my head into the circle and hiked it all up like a messenger bag. The bungee cord held up fine and the bags hung just above my knees.

This post would be even more "interesting" with pictures. Don't forget to include reactions of your neighbors in the background.

[Domromer]

Tonight i went out to do my first serious trip to the grocery store. I still haven't replaced the bike that was stolen 2 weeks ago and have been buying a single bag of groceries everyday and eating out.

Interesting, carrying a shopping bag.

You can hook the loop with your fingers, or you can stick your hand into the loop like a bracelet and let the weight pull on your wrist (no carpel tunnel danger here as the wrist is not lifting anything, the wrist is limp, the shoulder is bearing the weight).

But I don't like using my arms at all so I carried some string with me to the store and on the way back the bag hung on this twine like a messenger bag from my shoulder while my hands were holding sheet music.

Based on that success I thought I'd do the same for 6 bags of groceries with a bungee cord instead of the twine. I looped the bungee cord through all the handles and then engaged the end hooks to form a circle. Then I stuck my head into the circle and hiked it all up like a messenger bag. The bungee cord held up fine and the bags hung just above my knees.

The difficulty came when I started to walk. The bungee cord made the bags jump up and down with every step and the sharp corners of the soymilk cartons kept jabbing into my leg. I walked uncomfortably like this for a block. When I couldn't stand it anymore I stopped, grabbed the bungee cord with one hand and slung it over my shoulder. I didn't care what happened next. When I resumed walking I was pleased to find that now that the bags were against my back and chest they did not sway or bounce or nag me in any way (other than being heavy, but it's not so bad if you use your biomechanics properly). This worked so well that I pulled out my sheet music and didn't even notice the bags except how they made me move sluggishly when I had to suddenly change my direction for a parking meter or oncoming pedestrian.

This trip to the store is roughly 2 miles and my shoulder was only a little achey when I got home.

Maybe a bungee cord in your pocket is all you need to take to the store?


Thats too funny!

[makeinu]

I'm thinking that a wagon that can fit 6 bags of groceries is about what I'm looking for. The ones linked above look pretty cool.

I know what people mean about making lots of smaller trips. When I was single and lived a block from the store I often shopped for one meal at a time. But my GF and I tend to make big grocery trips once a week now, even though we go right past several stores every day. I'm also doing some canning and buy stuff in bulk.

I think the image thing got blown out of proportion. I'm a cyclist, I often look a little odd because it's functional. But I ain't dragging a stupid granny cart! Besides, I have a backpack that has about the same capacity. A wagon would allow me more capacity and not require stacking things.

I personally would rather take a granny cart than a wagon. Wagon makes you look like a little kid and between Granny and Junior at least Granny gets to give the orders. However, you have a point about stacking things. That's the biggest drawback of those granny carts (but I still use a granny cart because wagons don't fold into my closet). I suppose you could try to invent your own cart to avoid all preconceived notions, but since carrying food has been in fashion for a few thousand years now I'd imagine that all the good ideas are already taken.

Although, I really don't see why you would want to buy 6 bags of groceries at once. People in the suburbs do that because they have to drive a car everywhere. You have the luxury of eating fresh food; Why would you want to stock up on food just to let it wilt by the time you're ready to eat it?

[TheFool]

A classic way to carry heavy loads is a shoulder yoke.

http://interreality.org/~reed/tmp/yoke2.jpghttp://interreality.org/~reed/tmp/yoke3.jpg

You can buy an expensive one here:
http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=6163&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=677&iSubCat=678&iProductID=6163

http://interreality.org/~reed/tmp/yoke1.jpg

Only half joking on this actually :)

Another simple DIY carrying device I like is a simple sack with a drawstring. Make it long enough and only fill it up part way, and you can hold the rest of the cloth of the sack over your shoulder in a wide strip that makes it comfortable. Make it out of an old blanket or other cloth, or old pair of jeans for a smaller one (and built in pockets).

[gerv]

How bout one of these :D

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/dhampton82/collr.jpg

How about one of these?
58352

[MyBikeGotStolen]

I know you said not a bike, but this is sort of not a bike...

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/dhampton82/cartben_lisaside.jpg